‘Caesar Rodney in His Own Words’: Historical play at the New Castle Court House Museum on Sept. 22, 2019
On Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019 at 2 p.m., the New Castle Court House Museum, located at 211 Delaware St. in New Castle, Del., will present “Caesar Rodney in His Own Words,” a historical play by museum historic-site interpreter David Price. The play explores the views of the famed Delaware patriot whose ride to Philadelphia broke the tie in favor of the Declaration of Independence. The play will be presented on the Green adjacent to the museum. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs and bug spray. Admission is free and open to the public. For additional information, call 302-323-4453.
David Price has served as a historic-site interpreter at the New Castle Court House Museum since 2011 after completing a long career with General Motors. In addition to conducting tours, he has created a number of special programs and lectures at the museum including “Sven Skute: The Scapegoat of New Sweden” and “Freemasons in the Civil War”; as well as writing the historical plays “Caesar Rodney in His Own Words” and “The Spirit of New Castle Past.” The Newark, Del. resident has also served as both a first- and third-person interpreter at Fort Delaware, among several other locations, and has conducted numerous lectures and performances based on his research of the American Civil War.
About Caesar Rodney (1728–1784) …
Caesar Rodney (brother of Thomas Rodney, uncle of Caesar Augustus Rodney and cousin of George Brydges Rodney), born in Dover, Del. on Oct. 7, 1728; completed preparatory studies; engaged in agricultural pursuits; high sheriff of Kent County 1755–1758; justice of the peace; judge of all lower courts; captain in the Kent County Militia in 1756; superintendent of the printing of Delaware currency in 1759; member of the state assembly 1762–1769; superintendent of the loan office in 1769; associate justice of the Delaware Supreme Court 1769–1777; member of the Continental Congress 1774–1776; a signer of the Declaration of Independence; served in the Revolutionary Army as a brigadier general; elected President of Delaware and served from 1778 to 1782; elected to the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783 but did not serve; died in Dover, Del., June 26, 1784; interment on his farm, “Byfield,” near Dover.
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Constructed in 1732, the New Castle Court House is one of the oldest active court buildings in the United States and was Delaware’s first state capitol. Here, the Colonial Assembly passed the 1776 Separation Resolution creating the Delaware State. During its nearly 300 years of history, this National Historic Landmark has played pivotal roles in the political, social and commercial life of both New Castle and Delaware. The museum is a partner site in the First State National Historical Park.
